Palmerston North
Pat Rhodes
4 May 2012
Whanganui Prison invited Manawatu Prison to an inaugural Choir Competition last month. The highly successful event saw the hosts amassing the greater number of points and claiming the trophy.
The chaplains of the two prisons organised the occasion which will become an annual event.
The programme opened with a Karakia and a welcome speech from the Prison Management.
Each choir presented four songs. The first was an original song by one of the inmates followed by a Maori or other language song. The third song was to be written by a New Zealand composer and the final item was Own Choice.
The judges included Bishop Peter Cullinane, musician and former deputy principal of Cullinane College John Scudder, and a former Catholic chaplain to Manawatu Prison Sr Cecily Finucane and the national director of prison chaplains Rev Maku Potea.
The standard of the presentations was high and the judges had a difficult decision to make. Following the presentation of the trophy to the Whanganui team and thank you speeches afternoon tea was served to the contestants and guests.